"I missed the interaction with my members every Sunday. Though we have been holding online services, I missed the in-person fellowship." — The Rev. Sahr Fallah, pastor in charge at Charles Davies Memorial United Methodist Church in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
NEWS AND FEATURES
'Overjoyed' as churches reopen in Sierra Leone
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (UM News) — Masked worshippers filed into Charles Davies Memorial United Methodist Church as in-person services resumed in Sierra Leone under strict COVID-19 guidelines. As churchgoers adapted to the new rules, rural communities struggled to rebound after months of lockdown. Phileas Jusu reports.
Read story
Texas Conference
Got milk? Church ensures its community does
LA MARQUE, Texas — McKinney Memorial United Methodist Church in this Houston-area city has plenty to share. Church volunteers are distributing free gallons of milk, donated by Borden Dairy, to day care centers and families in need every Tuesday. Lindsay Peyton has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
SBC21
Director to discuss 100-day plan of action
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century will hold a virtual welcome for the Rev. Michael L. Bowie Jr., the group's new executive director, on July 30 at 5 p.m. Central time. He will announce a 100-day plan of action that includes an Aug. 4 conversation about equipping youth and young adults for social justice. That conversation features former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young.
Read press release
Register for July 30 event
Scarritt Bennett Center
Panel to discuss back-to-school health concerns
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Scarritt Bennett Center's Racial Justice Ministries and Meharry Medical College are partnering to host "Back to School in a Pandemic: A COVID-19 Special Discussion." Panelists will address best health practices for families as children return to school, as well as the most updated medical information about the coronavirus. The event will be livestreamed Aug. 2 at 2 p.m. Central time on Scarritt Bennett Center's Facebook page.
For more information
COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not the UM News staff.
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Online worship makes evangelism less intimidating
WASHINGTON — One apparent advantage of online worship is that people seem to be more inclined to extend and respond to invitations to check out church online. The Rev. F. Douglas Powe and Ann A. Michel offer tips for virtual evangelism.
Read commentary
RECENT HEADLINES
Ask The UMC: Where do church terms like narthex and nave come from?
Pandemic challenges music ministers, choirs
EVENTS
Monday, Aug. 10-Friday, Sept. 4
Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.